NBA Trade Rumors: 3 point guards the New Orleans Pelicans should target

The New Orleans Pelicans are running out of time to convince Anthony Davis to stay with the franchise. Davis has been with the team since being drafted as the first pick of the 2012 NBA draft, and the 25-year-old has since transformed into one of the best and most dominant players in the NBA.

However, despite Davis' performances, the Pelicans have been to the playoffs just twice in since 2012, and Davis can opt out of his contract in 2020. Due to this, Davis has been linked with a summer move to either the Boston Celtics or Los Angeles Lakers. Nevertheless, the Pelicans still have a small time-frame to convince Davis to stay in New Orleans, and in order to do this, the Pelicans will need to make substantial additions to the roster this month.

The point guard position is among the areas that the Pelicans could use an upgrade, as current starter, Elfrid Payton, looks better suited to a place on the bench. So, here we will look at three players that could solve the Pelicans issues at point guard.

#3 Dennis Smith Jr.

Reports emerged earlier this week that the Dallas Mavericks were looking to trade away Dennis Smith Jr. The 21-year-old was only drafted by the Mavericks 18 months ago, and during his rookie season, Smith averaged 15.2 points, 5.8 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game, and was named to the 2018 All-Rookie Second Team.

Nevertheless, Smith's impact on the team has been lessened by the arrival of teenage sensation Luka Doncic, and the Mavericks are now looking to part ways with their starting point guard this month. Despite being only 21, Smith has already demonstrated his potential to grow into an All-Star caliber point guard, and he would provide a significant upgrade over Elfrid Payton.

#2 Kemba Walker

New Orleans Pelicans v Charlotte Hornets

Kemba Walker was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets back in 2011, and the point guard has slowly developed into one of the NBA's best player's. Walker has averaged at least 20 points in each of his last three seasons, and during the 18/19 campaign, Walker is on track to average more than 25 points per game for the first time in his career.

Overall, the 28-year-old is averaging 25.2 points, 5.7 assists, and 4.2 rebounds per game and Walker looks set to be named to the All-Star team for a third consecutive season.

While the Hornets will be desperate to keep their star player, Walker will become an unrestricted free agent this summer, and the Pelicans may be able to convince Charlotte to part with their point guard. Ultimately, if New Orleans can pull off an unlikely deal for Walker, then the Pelicans will be in a strong position to reach the playoffs.

#1 Terry Rozier

Terry Rozier remains one of the most promising point guards from around the NBA, however, the 24-year-old's development has stalled since the Boston Celtics signed All-Star point guard, Kyrie Irving. Irving looks set to sign a new max contract with the team this summer, and this will permanently block Rozier's path to the starting lineup, and the player himself has stated his unwillingness to play back up.

So far this season, Rozier has played in 43 games for the Celtics, averaging 8.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, although the point guard has previously demonstrated his ability to contribute much more as a starter.

During the 2018 playoffs, Rozier averaged 16.5 points, 5.7 assists, and 5.4 rebounds per game and Rozier was arguably the teams best performer. With the point guard approaching the end of his contract, and seemingly unhappy with his position in Boston, 'Scary Terry' seems like the perfect player to improve the Pelicans offense.